Hydroponic Tea

A hydroponic system can produce food with higher yield, faster growth rate, and easier disease and pest control when compared to traditional farming methods, reducing both water and land use and increasing production efficiency. This undergraduate research project focuses on optimizing hydroponic growing conditions for Camellia sinensis by testing various hydroponic tea growing conditions, such as hydroponic systems, lighting conditions, and irrigation regimes, and investigates their effects on biomass production and chemical profiles. In doing so, the research provides a foundation for sustainable hydroponic local tea production in California and has the potential to help reduce the carbon footprint of the tea beverages served on campus and beyond.